But health officials are still awaiting the test results of Y.S. Rao, a 40-year-old constable with the Central Reserve Police Force - who succumbed to high fever, cough and cold at Bilaspur-based Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Science - Aug 14.

By IANS, [RxPG] Raipur, Aug 17 - Three men in Chhattisgarh, who had recently returned from Maharashtra, have tested positive for swine flu, a health official said Monday.

'Over 90 samples of patients with common-flu like symptoms have been sent to Delhi from Chhattisgarh for testing. Three samples were found positive for swine flu out of the total 36 samples results received Monday,' T.K. Agrawal, the state's deputy director - and swine flu nodal officer, told IANS.

All three are in their early twenties, he said.

Agrawal said the identity of the three men has not been disclosed to avoid creating panic in the neighbourhoods where they stay. Doctors have asked these three men to take rest in isolation at their homes and follow specific medical advice.

'These three men are not serious and have minor flu problem. We are taking care of them, have given them medicines and told their families not to worry,' the official added.

Meanwhile, the test results of 18-year-old Sitaram Verma, who died Aug 12 following flu symptoms at Raipur's Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Hospital, were found to be negative for swine flu.

But health officials are still awaiting the test results of Y.S. Rao, a 40-year-old constable with the Central Reserve Police Force - who succumbed to high fever, cough and cold at Bilaspur-based Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Science - Aug 14.

The state government has deployed doctors at Raipur airport and railway stations across the state to screen passengers from other states, particularly from Maharashtra and Delhi, to check the spread of the H1N1 virus.